Properly
functioning brake systems are crucial to safe commercial motor
vehicle (CMV) operation. CMV brakes are designed to hold up under
tough conditions, but they must be inspected and maintained
carefully and consistently so they operate and perform properly
throughout the vehicle's life. Brake Safety Week is an annual
outreach and enforcement campaign designed to improve commercial
vehicle brake safety throughout North America.

Brake-related
violations comprise the largest percentage (representing half -
49.6 percent during Roadcheck 2013) of all out-of-service
violations cited during roadside inspections. Improperly installed
or poorly maintained brake systems can reduce the braking capacity
and stopping distance of trucks and buses, which poses a serious
risk to driver and public safety.

Brake
inspections conducted during Brake Safety Week include inspection
of brake-system components to identify loose or missing parts, air
or hydraulic fluid leaks, worn linings, pads, drums or rotors, and
other faulty brake-system components. Antilock braking systems
(ABS) malfunction indicator lamps also are checked. Inspectors will
inspect brake components and measure pushrod stroke when
appropriate. Defective or out-of-adjustment brakes will result in
the vehicle being placed out of service. Read more about the
inspection procedure.

Additional
inspections may include some Level I Inspections and, in ten
participating jurisdictions, overall vehicle braking efficiency
will be tested using performance-based brake testing (PBBT)
equipment. These systems include a slow speed roller dynamometer
that measure total vehicle weight and total brake force, from which
braking efficiency is calculated. The minimum braking efficiency
for trucks is 43.5 percent, required by U.S. federal regulation and
the CVSA Out-of-Service Criteria.

Outreach
and educational efforts by CMV inspectors, participating motor
carriers and others in the industry also take place during Brake
Safety Week and are integral to the success of the campaign.

In
2013, more than 20,000 vehicles were inspected. View the 2013
results. More than 30,000 brake inspections are expected to be
conducted during 2014 Brake Safety Week. More than 3.4 million
brakes have been inspected since the program's inception in 1998.

In addition to Brake Safety Week, CVSA also holds an
unannounced brake inspection day each year in the spring. This
year, the Operation Airbrake unannounced inspection day was on May
7, 2014. Click here to read
about the results.

To check for leaks, Bendix suggests a 90 to 100 psi brake
application, followed by a walk-around inspection of the vehicle,
while listening for audible leaks. The CVSA inspection will also
test the vehicle's low air pressure warning device, and, if a leak
is detected, measure the air loss rate.

Brake shoes should be examined for cracks and checked to ensure
they meet the minimum lining thickness standards.

To measure the chamber stroke on each wheel-end, Bendix typically
recommends checking the distance from the chamber to the pin with
the brakes released, and again after a fully charged brake
application. Drivers can incur fines if the difference between the
two measurements - the chamber stroke - is outside allowable limits
on 25% of a truck's wheel-ends.

For foundation drum brakes, fleets should follow the manufacturer's
instructions regarding the adjustment of slack adjusters.

In conducting general wheel-end inspections, Bendix emphasizes
close attention to the rubber boots on brakes, where cracks or
tears could allow moisture to get inside.

As safety requirements evolve and commercial vehicles continue to
advance technologically, regularly scheduled preventive
maintenance, along with continued driver and technician training,
will become even more vital to the industry.

"Proper brake adjustment and maintenance are more important
than ever to commercial vehicle and roadway safety - especially with
the first phase of new Reduced Stopping Distance requirements
implemented in 2011, and the second phase set to take effect in
2013," Ganaway said.

Facts-at-a-Glance

Driver results for 2014 were as follows:

All
inspections that included drivers: 95.2 percent of drivers had
no OOS violations, and 4.8 percent were placed Out of Service
(4.3 percent were Out of Service in 2013).

Level
I inspections: 96.0 percent of drivers had no OOS violations,
and 4.0 percent were placed Out of Service (4.3 percent were
Out of Service in 2013).

HazMat:
97.0 percent of drivers carrying HM had no OOS violations, and
3.0 percent were placed Out of Service (2.4 percent were Out
of Service in 2013).

Passenger
carrying vehicles: 96.1 percent of drivers had no OOS
violations, and 3.9 percent were placed Out of Service (3.1
percent were placed Out of Service in 2013).

Vehicle results for 2014 were as follows:

All
inspections that included vehicles: 81.3 percent of vehicles
had no OOS violations, and 18.7 percent were placed Out of
Service (20.6 percent were Out of Service in 2013).

Level
I inspections: 77.0 percent of vehicles had no OOS violations,
and 23.0 percent were placed Out of Service (24.1 percent were
Out of Service in 2013).

HazMat
inspections: 84.0 percent of vehicles carrying HM had no OOS
violations, and 16.0 percent were placed Out of Service (16.5
percent were Out of Service in 2013).

Passenger
carrying vehicles: 90.7 percent of vehicles had no OOS
violations, and 9.3 percent were placed Out of Service (7.1
percent were Out of Service in 2013).

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance is conducting
a survey as part of Operation Air Brake. It is designed to help
define areas where education and/or training will be most
effective. The information being gathered will be used for
statistical purposes only.

The Idealease
Safety Bulletin is provided for Idealease affiliates and their
customers and is not to be construed as a complete or exhaustive source
of compliance or safety information. The Idealease Safety Bulletin
is advisory in nature and does not warrant, guarantee, or otherwise
certify compliance with laws, regulations, requirements,
or guidelines of any local, state, or Federal agency and/or
governing body, or industry standards.